jeffsoward

The Bianchi Shadow II has slits for standard or cross-draw CC. Look for the 4" L-frame model (for the 681). http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=7

Well, this match in particular was called a Pro-Am, as I stated in the OP. It's a time-based event with steel knock downs. As many as you can in XX seconds @ XX points per hit. http://www.proamshooting.com/ I've spoken with some of the guys I shot with that day and with the RO that gave me the advice and the RO was just trying to give a "newb" some advice based on personal preference. I've shot a few matches since this happened, even with the RO, and no one seems to have a problem with my mag changes or ULSC.

Sir! Yes, Sir!

That's awesome! My kind of guy.

I haven't been able to shoot a full match in way too long. I have MS, but I don't let it stop me, unfortunately the immuno-suppressants that I've been taking for it definitely affected me. I caught a "simple" cold a couple of weeks ago. It turned into an upper respiratory infection that has morphed into pneumonia. I was at work yesterday morning and began coughing up blood. Had some pain in my chest. Called my doctor who told me to head to the ER. They treated me like a heart patient (heart murmur). They had me on oxygen, nitroglycerin, aspirin, benadryl, steroids, etc. When my wife arrived, they had me hooked up to all kinds of stuff and she kind of freaked out. It's not like she hasn't seen me with IV's before, but I think the addition of the oxygen tube and three nurses working on me scared her. After a chest x-ray and CT scan, they said pneumonia and the coughing tore something (hence, the blood). My wife has been lenient on me, letting me tinker and "play with my guns" but after yesterday, the hammer came down. I'm not allowed to shoot any matches until I get the all clear from the doctor and then, from her, I'm "not allowed to shoot, PERIOD" until I'm better. She won't even let me dry-fire cause I "get too excited." I guess I can still tinker with some kydex. This sucks.

Here's a shot of the finished holster. I went ahead and cleaned up and finished the edges to pretty it up. i also made an adjustable 2011 mag holder.

My pain-fueled insomnia was productive. Did my first holster last night. It's fast. Like really fast. but it won't just let the pistol fall out. It maintains a nice little grip on the triggerwell. I decided on a drop and offset style, but I didn't want either the drop or the offset to be too drastic so it's something like a half inch out and down. The pics are with a camera phone, so they suck.

Here's an adjustable version of the 1911 mag holder I did this evening. The cant is adjustable on these. I'll do one for the STI mags later, but the next project is a holster.

Thanks. i refined it a little. worked out the lumps and smoothed the edges.

I don't know exactly what Phil loads, but I can't imagine that he'd change anything without some major testing before a match like this. Does seem kind of odd and random. I haven't shot any major matches, so how does the protest work? do they voice a protest and, after equipment verification immediately get re-checked? or are they given the option to re-check at another time, say 30min to an hour later?

So, I needed some mag holders for some STI 2011 mags. I could either buy some or try to make them too. Here's what I came up with. The hardware is off the shelf from Ace hardware. The screw is an actual tensioner. I used a rubber grommet as the spacer, just like the pros.

Would your cleaner happen to be a rotary? Wet tumbler, maybe? I ask because I use a Thumler's model B, brass media, wet with dishwasher detergent and the little white powder which is Cream of Tartar (to shine the brass).

My condolences. I lost my mom in June, I feel your pain. Thoughts and prayers with you.

I read through these and saw myself flailing through stages in exactly the same way. Saturday, I shot part of a match (3 of 7 stages) that I was not supposed to shoot (Dr's orders). I decided that I would give it a go and just pace myself and get some trigger time. On our first stage, I walked through the stage and formed a plan; this array, mag change, that array, etc. I don't run (can't really; MS, it's a b!tch), but I usually try to hobble through as fast as I can. On this stage, since I wasn't doing anything more than putting in some time, I decided to walk through the stage and do what I could and follow the plan in my head. Worked perfectly. A lot more A's than normal, time wasn't even THAT bad. I felt really good, got myself pumped about it and how I felt, then I fell apart. The buzzer bug hit me on the next two stages and I just tanked. Plan? What plan? The next stage was comical. Didn't pay attention to my shots well enough (or my plan at all) and slide-locked before the last shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_yJ0BB-8Bk I'm going to another match this Sunday and I'm going to try the "plan" again. Hopefully I'll be able to follow it, use some of the advice from you guys and get my hits. As I put it to one of my buddies, maybe I'll be able to make hits instead of just pull the trigger.

What about shipping it out via FedEx or UPS? they allow up to 20lb packages as long as it's boxed and marked correctly.